Austria introduces a new criteria-based immigration scheme

The Austrian government has introduced new legislation to assist non-EU foreigners attempting to find employment in Austria. A new system to admit highly-skilled foreign workers from non-EU countries replaces the existing quota system for work permits. The government of Austria will issue immigration permits based on professional qualifications and the demand for specialists in individual sectors.Austria's new version of the U.S. Green Card, the "Red-White-Red Card" (the colors of the Austrian flag) regulates immigration by three groups of qualified non-EU foreigners and their dependents based on a point system.